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| President Donald Trump, Photo: Gage Skidmore |
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suffered another significant legal defeat. A civil jury had initially ordered him to pay $83.3 million to columnist E. Jean Carroll for defamation. This ruling has now been upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, based in New York, which rejected Trump’s request for a new trial.
Background: Sexual Assault Allegations
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| E Jean Carroll in New York, April 9, 2006, Self-photographed, julieannesmo |
The case stems from allegations made by E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the 1990s. In 2023, a separate civil jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages for sexual abuse and defamation. However, Trump’s repeated and aggressive attacks on Carroll through social media and public statements led to a second defamation lawsuit, resulting in the much larger $83.3 million judgment.
Social Media Attacks at the Heart of the Case
The court found that Donald Trump’s public statements and online attacks caused severe moral and professional harm to E. Jean Carroll. Judges highlighted that Trump’s defamatory remarks, widely amplified via social media and public speeches, seriously damaged Carroll’s reputation and credibility.
Court Calls the Damages “Fair and Reasonable”
In its ruling, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals stated that the awarded damages were “fair and reasonable,” considering the gravity of Trump’s statements and their lasting impact on Carroll’s life and career. Trump’s legal team had argued that the damages were excessive and demanded a new trial, but the court dismissed the appeal, cementing the original judgment.
Legal Troubles Continue for the Former President
This ruling adds yet another chapter to the growing list of legal battles facing Donald Trump as he remains entangled in multiple lawsuits and investigations across the United States. The decision underscores the legal accountability of the former president for spreading defamatory statements, marking a significant victory for E. Jean Carroll in this high-profile defamation case.
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